🏏 Mon, 6 Apr 2026 21:00 CEST
Girona
vs
Villarreal CF
4-2-3-1 vs 4-4-2
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- Third-placed Villarreal (58 points) travel to 14th-placed Girona (34 points). Villarreal sit just one point above Atlético Madrid in the battle for Champions League qualification, while Girona are only five points clear of the relegation zone, making this a high-stakes encounter for both sides.
- Villarreal dominated the reverse fixture in Round 2 with a commanding 5-0 victory. Girona will be eager to prove they've improved since that heavy defeat at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
- Míchel has set up Girona in a 4-5-1 formation, packing the midfield to create a solid defensive block. Villarreal counter with a 4-4-2 featuring Gerard Moreno and Mikautadze up front. The tactical battle between Girona's midfield overload and Villarreal's twin strikers will be crucial.
- Villarreal captain Gerard Moreno, with over 120 La Liga goals, remains the club's talismanic figure. His left-footed finishing and intelligent movement pose the greatest threat. Partner Georges Mikautadze, who starred at EURO 2024, adds pace and runs in behind the defence.
- Girona's attacking hopes rest on Ukrainian duo Viktor Tsygankov and Viktor Vanat. Tsygankov's left-footed cut-ins from the right wing against Villarreal's left-back Aymane Alghige will be a key duel, while the 189cm Vanat must hold the ball up effectively as the lone striker.
- The midfield battle pits Girona's experienced anchor Axel Witsel, with over 100 Belgium caps, against Villarreal's Pape Gueye and Santi Comesaña. Control of the central areas will likely determine the outcome.
- Girona's Iván Martín faces his former youth club, having come through Villarreal's academy. The creative left-footed midfielder and set-piece specialist will be extra motivated against his old side.
- Villarreal's Renato Veiga, signed from Chelsea for a club-record fee, starts at centre-back. The Portuguese international's precise long-range passing from defence could be key to bypassing Girona's packed midfield.